Rupnagar police foil target killing and robbery plot; Five accused arrested after encounter
Babushahi Bureau
Rupnagar (Punjab), January 5, 2026: Rupnagar Police on Monday foiled a major conspiracy involving a planned target killing and robbery and arrested five accused persons following an encounter in village Rolumajra under Police Station Sri Chamkaur Sahib.
Sharing details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gulneet Singh Khurana said the police acted on specific intelligence about armed individuals planning to commit robbery and murder Ranjit Singh, a resident of Rolumajra who is currently settled in Italy. Acting promptly, joint police teams were constituted and dispatched to the location.
According to the SSP, when the police team surrounded the suspects and asked them to surrender, the accused opened fire. In retaliatory action, during the exchange of fire, Karanveer Singh alias Kanwa sustained a bullet injury to his leg. He was immediately shifted to the Civil Hospital for treatment. Illegal weapons were also recovered from the spot.
SSP Khurana said the teams were led by SP (Detective) Gurdeep Singh Gosal, and included DSP Gabbar Singh, DSP Jatinder Chauhan, CIA Incharge Rupnagar Inspector Rahul Sharma, and Special Branch Incharge Rupnagar Inspector Gurvinder Singh.
Initially, a case was registered under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC. As the investigation progressed, sections related to attempt to murder were added. Based on further inputs indicating links to target killing and extremist networks, provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were also invoked.
Police investigations revealed that Ranjit Singh, who had recently visited his native village, is associated with the management committee of Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib and had opposed certain extremist activities, allegedly leading to the conspiracy against him. It was further revealed that the murder contract was arranged by accused persons operating from abroad through contacts based in Greece and Dubai.
The police recovered three .32 bore pistols, one .315 bore country-made weapon, live cartridges and magazines, all of which were illegal. Police records show that Karanveer Singh alias Kanwa was wanted in two murder cases and several firing incidents. The other arrested accused have been identified as Akash Rana, Vansh Shori, Gurkamal Singh alias Kamal, and Karandeep Singh alias Kanu.
SSP Khurana said that an in-depth investigation is underway to trace the foreign-based accused, arms supply chain, and the wider criminal network. He added that more significant revelations are expected as the probe progresses.